The Moon’s Secret

The forest grew stranger with each step. The silver thread above Elara’s heart glowed brighter now, tugging her forward like a silent guide. Beside her, the man walked in measured silence, his cloak trailing through the mist. He hadn’t offered his name, and she hadn’t asked—something told her names carried weight here.

At last, she broke the quiet. “Why are you helping me?”

He didn’t look at her. “Because no one else can.”

“That’s not an answer.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn’t speak again. But then, softly: “Because your soul isn’t the only one bound to this place.”

Her breath caught. “What do you mean?”

He stopped walking. The fog curled between them as he finally met her eyes. In the pale glow of the moonlight, Elara saw not indifference, but sorrow carved deep into him.

“My name is Caelum,” he said at last. “And I am cursed to guard the souls lost beneath this forest. Yours… happens to be one of them.”

Her heart lurched. “Guard? You mean—you’ve known where it is all along?”

He gave a faint, bitter smile. “Knowing and giving are not the same. The moon decides when a soul can be reclaimed. I only keep them safe… or keep them trapped, depending on how you see it.”

Elara stepped back, a chill running through her. Had she been foolish to trust him? “Then why let me come here? Why not stop me?”

“Because,” Caelum said, his voice suddenly low and taut, “no one has ever dared to follow the thread this far. They fear what they might remember. But you… you don’t fear it. You crave it. That makes you different.”

Elara pressed her hand against her chest, feeling the silver thread pulsing like a heartbeat. She wanted to deny his words, but she couldn’t.

“Where is it?” she whispered. “Where is my soul?”

Caelum hesitated. Then he pointed upward, through the bare branches. The moon shone directly above them, too bright, too close. Its light seemed almost alive, pulsing with quiet power.

“The moon holds it,” he said. “She keeps the souls of those who begged to forget.”

Elara’s blood turned cold. Begged to forget. The words felt heavy, as if they belonged to her, though she couldn’t remember ever saying them.

“I… chose this?” she asked, her voice breaking.

Caelum’s gaze was unreadable. “Once. Long ago. And now, you must choose again.”

The fog stirred around them like restless breath. Elara stared up at the moon, its silver glow searing into her eyes. If her soul was truly there, then the hollow years of her life had not been an accident—they had been her wish.

But why? What had she wanted so badly to forget?

The thought sent a tremor of both fear and longing through her. She wasn’t sure she was ready for the answer.

And yet, she knew she had no choice.

Sorry guys l was not able to post since few days as my exams has approched and my health is not really good too but yeah l hope u guys will understand 🤍🌷✨️

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